Eliza's Toyes
A Newe Sound vpon the towne of Madison: songs of two to fiue parts, sung by most Heauenly voyces of men (and women)
In the summer of 2005, a few singers in the Madison Early Music Festival decided that it was a fine idea to get together and delight themselves with singing madrigals. The group's first piece--William Byrd's "This sweet and merry month of May", whose ending celebrated Queen Elizabeth I with the words
And greet Eliza with a rhyme:
O beauteous Queen of Second Troy,
Take well in worth a simple toy.
provided a great name for the group. Eliza's Toyes was born, and existed every summer in Madison, Wisconsin.
In 2008, a fair number of singers who were in Eliza's Toyes are living in Madison once again. Thus we gather, outside of the Festival, for the joy of music making. This September will mark our very first full-length program. Please come and hear us!
Sherry Holcomb, soprano
Beth Morgan, soprano
Sandy Erickson, alto
Ryan Veillet, tenor
Jerry Hui, bass